Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

This is a total comfort food!  From my 1980's Betty Crocker Cookbook, and it makes a 9 x 13 pan full.

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

• 9 medium large potatoes, peeled & sliced 1/4 inch thick  OR diced into 3/4 inch cubes  
• 1 small onion, sliced thin  
• 1/2 lb. ham
• 3 Tbsp. margarine or butter  
• 3 Tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. salt  
• 1/4 tsp. pepper 
• 2 1/2 c. milk  

Layer potatoes, onion, and ham if desired in a greased baking dish. 

Heat 3 Tbsp. margarine in saucepan over low heat until melted.  Stir in flour and seasonings.  Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth, about 1 minutes.  Slowly whisk in milk a bit at a time, whisking until all lumps are gone before adding more milk.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil & stir 1 minute, then pour over potatoes. Dot with butter, cover with foil, and bake at 350° for an hour, then uncover and bake another 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and lightly browned on top.